Pick counter



H. N. BLISS PICK COUNTER March 12, 1940 Filed Jan. 2s', 1938 Patented Mar. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES PICK COUNTER HarveyA N. Bliss, Windsor, Conn., assigner to Voeder-Root Incorporated, a corporation of Connecticut Application January 28, `193,8, Serial No. 187,339

9 Claims.

My invention relates to locked pick counters.

It has among its objects to provide an improved locked counter. Another object of my invention is to provide animproved locking structure for such counters cooperating with the resetting mechanism thereof, and wherein the locking bar is of an improved construction and cooperates in an improved manner with improved locking mechanism controlled by the key. A further object omy invention is to provide such an improved construction wherein both the locking bar and the lock barrel may be readily assembled or disassembled' from the topl of the counter when the cover is removed. A still further object of my invention is to provide such an improved construction wherein the lock barrel is disposed and connected to improved means located in a new position in the counter casing, and has improved bar actuating means also dis posed in a new location and cooperating with an improved construction of the bar in an improved manner to look and unlock the resetting mechanism. Other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, herein more` `fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown for purposes of illustration two embodiments which my invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan View of a double locked pick counter with the cover removed;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken on line 2 2 of Figure l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure l;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the transverse locking bar;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lock;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6 8 of Figure 1; A

Fig. 'l is a sectional view on line 1-1 of Figure 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure similar counters, generally indicated at A and B,

disposed therein in parallel relation. Each of these counters includes an axial resetting shaft 3 having the usual longitudinal resetting groove 4 and a plurality of operatively connected de@ (Cl. mf-185) nominational order counting units 5, only one being shown for each counter, journaled on the shaft 3 and operatively connected through the usual transfer pinions, not shown. A wing nut 6 located externally of the casing is operatively 5 connected to each of the shafts 3 through a clutch, generally indicated at C, for rotating the shafts 3 to enable Vthe grooves I to pick up the usual resetting pawls, not shown, of the several counting units to return them to zero in the usual 10 manner.

As in a usual construction, means are also pro-- vided for simultaneously locking the resetting mechanisms of both counters A and B when the latter are in their normal positions following resetting, which is also operative to prevent lockingof either counter until the reset mechanisms of both counters have been returned to normal reset position. To this end, each resetting shaft 3 is provided with a locking member 'I which is 20 fixed to the shaft `for rotation therewith by a key disposed in the groove 4. The locking members 'I are held lagainst longitudinal movement on the shaftat one end by a spacing sleeve B which engages the highest o-rder counting unit `and washers 9 which abut the right-hand end of the locking member and at the opposite end by a iiat vertically insertable 'key Ill overlying the boss II in the end wall of the casing I adjacent the other end ofthe locking member. The key I0 also positions the shaft 3 against axial displacement in the casing by engaging `an annular groove i2 formed in the shaft, the lower end of the key beingbifurcated at its lower end to enter the groove. Thev key I0 is also provided with an upper bent-over end I3, overlying the boss Il, which is interlocked with an upstanding projection I4 on the boss. The cooperating rotatable locking members 'I are provided with ilanges I5, spaced from the right hand end thereof and conn sequently from the washers 9, the part of the looking member between said lianges and washers constituting generally annular locking portions I6' having right angularly related spaced faces I'I on their peripheries. As shown most clearly in `Figure 2, the flanges I5 have a number of teeth I8 formed thereon which cooperate with pawls I9 pivoted yon the transfer pinion shafts 2D for preventing reverse rotation of the resetting mechanisms in certain positions of the latter.

In this construction, the cooperating trans-- versely slidable locking bar D, cooperating with the locking portions I6 of locking members 1, is of 'animproved construction. This bar, which is positionedlaterally by the flanges I5 and washers 9, is vertically supported on the peripheries of the locking portions I6 and also is provided with an end portion 2| having a bearing at 22 in the bottom of a slot 22a provided in the side wall of the casing I. The bar is thus provided at its bottom edge with a three-point support, at least two of which are always in engagement with the bottom edge thereof when it is in place in the casing. The bar D is generally rectangular in shape, having an intermediate portion of its lower edge cut away in the vicinity of the rotatable locking member of counter B and its lower corner cut away in the vicinity of the locking member of counter A to provide locking apertures 23 and 24. Similar side walls of the apertures 23 and 24 are provided with right angularly related flat portions 25, corresponding to the: fiat portions I'I on the peripheries of the locking portions I6, on which the top walls 26 of the apertures 23 and 24 normally rest. The portion 2| on the right-hand end of the locking bar D has a lower horizontal edge 21 slidable in the bottom 22 of the slot above referred to, and also has an upstanding portion 28 which terminates adjacent the under surface of the cover 2. The bar D is further guided by the cover which is provided with depending ribs 29 (Figs. 2 and 3) overlying the upper horizontal at edge 30 of bar D. The upper edge of the bar is further provided, in the vicinity of counter A, with a horizontal portion 30a bent at right angles to the plane of the bar which provides a horizontal cam engaging edge 30h, the portion 30aI being located with its top surface substantially ush with the top edges 30 and 28 of the bar. Just back of the portion 30a, the top edge of the bar is cut away at 30e to provide a cam engaging shoulder 30d which lies in the same plane and is spaced from the cam engaging surface 30D.

The bar D is also operated by improved key controlled locking means which are located in a new position and are supported in the casing in a new and improved manner. These means include a rotatable lock barrel 3| having a key slot 32 adapted to receive a usual key 32a by which the barrel 3| is unlocked when the key is inserted, and can be rotated by the key. The barrel 3| is journaled in a lock barrel sleeve 32h insertable in a well 32o formed in a boss 33 integral with the end wall of casing I. The lock barrel projects a sucient distance above the boss to extend through a hole 32d in the cover 2 to receive the key from outside the casing when the cover is in place. The boss 33 has a vertical slot 33a which extends to the top of the boss and vin which is located a rib 33b formed integral with the lock barrel sleeve 32b and containing the spring pressed tumbler pins of the lock. This rib, which is insertable in the slot from the top when. the sleeve 32b and lock barrel 3| are 1nserted in the well, positions the lock against rotation inthe casing and also cooperates with a shoulder 33e in the well, on which the bottom of the sleeve rests, in accurately seating the lock in the well.

The locking bar D is reciprocable between locked and unlocked positions relative to the rotatable locking members by means of a washershaped cam member 34 through which the lock barrel 3| projects. The member 34 which is located in the plane of the portion 30a of bar D rests upon the top of boss 33 and has a tongue 35 which projects into and is seated on the bottom of the key slot 32 so that the member 34 rotates with the lock barrel yet is freely removable at any time when the cover 2 is removed. The cover 2 is provided with a depending ange 35a surrounding the hole 32d which prevents upward displacement of the cam member 34 when the cover is in place. Also the shoulder 33e is partly cut away to provide opposed shoulders 35a and 35h against which a pin 35c projecting from the lock barrel 3| engages to limit the rotation of the lock barrel and consequently the movement of the bar D. The cam member has a nose 36 provided with angularly related cam faces 3l and 38 which cooperate with the opposed cam engaging edge 30h and cam engaging shoulder 30d. As shown in Figure 1, the lock barrel has been turned counter-clockwise to move the locking bar into the full lin-e position shown in Figure 2 to lock the reset shafts, and in this position of the parts the cam surface 31 forms an abutment for the cam engaging edge 30h oapable of resisting the thrust of the bar D in the event that a resetting torque is applied on either shaft 3 by rotation of a wing nut 6 when the shaft is locked. By rotating the lock barrel 3| clockwise, it will be evident that the cam surface 38 of member 34 will engage the shoulder 30d and move the locking bar out of locking engagement with the rotatable locking members I6 into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2.

In Figure 8 the locking bar D and rotatable locking members 'I are shown in the positions occupied following resetting of both counters and prior to turning the key 32a to lock the same. It will be noted that the corresponding fiat faces Il on the locking members 'I are slightly angularly displaced relative to the nat faces 25 on the bar D so that, upon movement of the bar into locking position, a slight rotation of the resetting shafts 3 will take place in the direction of the arrows as the faces are brought into alignment. The direction of this rotative movement being opposite to the direction of rotation of the shafts during resetting, the reset pawls (not shown) of the units 5 will be separated from the resetting grooves 4 of shafts 3 in a usual manner, and effectually prevent advancement of the counter wheels by a blow struck on the wing nut 6 when the counter is locked.

In Figure 9 I have shown a modified construction wherein the wing nuts 6a are fixed directly to the ends of the resetting shafts 3a which project through bosses 40 formed in the end wall of the casing I.

As a result of my improvements, it is possible to insert the locking bar D after the counters have been assembled in the casing I, and to remove the same when the cover is removed, without disturbing the resetting shafts of the counters. Also, the lock including the lock barrel and sleeve can be assembled in the casing by simply inserting the same vertically in the well without the necessity for inaccessible attaching screws within the casing and shims previously required to position the lock relative to the locking bar D. Further, the member 34 is simply placed, unattached, in its new location on top of the lock, without the necessity for fastening it to the lock as required in previous constructions, and, as a result of the new location of the lock relative to the bar D, it is possible for the latter to be positively actuated in both directions by the key, and to provide extremely simple means for limiting the reciprocating movement of the locking mechanism.

While I have in this application specifically described two embodiments whichr my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that the same are shown `for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from the scope or the spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a pick counter, a casing having an open top and adapted to enclose counter mechanisms and laterally spaced resetting means including resetting shafts, locking mechanism including a key operated lock disposed in said casing between the shafts and a reciprocable locking bar actuated by said lock and controlling the resetting means of the counter mechanisms, both said lock and bar being removable through the top of said casing, and a cover for said casing overlying said lock and bar and positioning both against vertical displacement against said casing.

2. In a pick counter having an enclosing casing provided with a Well therein open at the top and resetting for counter mechanism. a locking device comprising a controlling member for the resetting means, a key operated lock including a lock barrel sleeve located in the well and having a rib interlccked with Lthe side wall of the latter, a lock barrel rotatable in said slee-ve and carrying on its top an actuating member, and means on said controlling member for en abling forward and backward actuation thereof by said actuating member.

3. In apick counter having a casing provided with a well therein open at they top and resetting means for counter mechanisms, a locking device comprising a controlling member controlling the resetting means, a lock barrel sleeve seated in the well, said sleeve and well having cooperating vertically engageable means for preventing rotation of said sleeve therein, a lock barrel rotatably supported in said sleeve and projecting above the top of said well and having a key slot therein, a cam member controlling said controlling member and vertically insertable -on the projecting upper end of said lock barrel, said cam having a tongue disposed in said key slot, and means for preventing vertical displacement of said lock in the casing including a cover for the casing having lan aperture into which said lock barrel projects and engaging the top surface of said cam member,`

4. In a pick counter having an enclosing casing provided with a Well therein open at the top and resetting shafts disposed at'theopposite sides of the well, a locking device comprising a locking bar for the shafts disposed transversely to theshafts, a key operated lock disposed in the well and controlling said bar, said bar and lock being vertically insertable and removable in the casing and well respectively and having cooperating laterally extending portions, and a `cover overlying said portions and' covering the casing. f

5. In a pick counter having an enclosing casing provided with a wellv therein open at the top and shafts provided with, locking faces thereon, the combination of a locking device comprising a bar disposed transversely of the shafts and having locking apertures in its bottom edge engageable with the locking `faces on the shafts,

said bar being freely removable from the when in unlocked position, said har ha' positely disposed on the top er` e thereof and laterally extending' horizontal plate portion provided with a side edge contiguous to one of the oppositely disposed` surfaces, lrey controlled locking means for said bar including a' key operated lock disposed in the well and` swing ing means movablewith said lock and engaging the oppositely disposed surfaces and the edge said plate portion to positively actuate said bar in both directions, and a cover for the casing having an aperture for receiving a reduced portion of said lock and preventing the vertical displacement of lock, bar and swinging means.

6. A locking bar for a plurality of pick counters having resetting shafts provided' 'with' locking portions, comprising a plurality of spaced downwardly depending portions each having edge portion provided with a of right angular related locking Aportions adapted to engage ythe locking portions on the shafts, and a pair of substantially vertical oppositely disposed surfaces at the top edge of the bar adapted to be engaged by a cam member for shifting the bar into and out of locking position.

7. A locking bar for a plurality of pick counters having resetting shafts provided with locking portions, comprising a plurality of spaced downwardly depending portions each having an edge portion provided with a pair of right angular related looking portions adapted to engage the locking portions on the shafts, and a pair of substantially vertical oppositely disposed shoulders at the top edge of the bar adapted to be engaged by a cam member for shifting said bar into and out of locking position, said shoulders being proximate the midpoint between the ends of the bar.

8. A locking bar for a plurality of pic-kcounters .l

having resetting shafts provided with locking portions, comprising a plurality of spaced downwardly depending portions each having an edge portion provided with a pair of right angular related looking portions adapted to engage the locking portions on the shafts, a pair of oppositely disposed surfaces at the top edgeof the bar adapted to be engaged by a cam member for shifting the bar into and out of locking position,

and a laterally extending substantially horizontal plate portion having a cam engaging surface contiguous to oneof said oppositely disposed surfaces.

9. A locking bar for a plurality of pick counters having resetting shafts' provided with locking portions, comprising a bearing portion at one end, a plurality of spaced downwardly depending portions each having an edgev portion provided with a pair of` right angular related locking portions adapted to engage the locking portions on the shafts, the top edge of the bar having a recess, a vertical shoulder at one side `of said recess, anda laterally extending horizontal plate portion having a cam engaging surface at the other side of said recess and facing said shoulder, said cam engaging surface and shoulder being adapted to be engaged by a cam member for shifting the bar into and out of locking position.

HARVEY N. Buss. 

